League-leaders Newcastle United travel to Molineux to take on Wolverhampton Wanderers’ in Saturday’s teatime kick-off in the Championship.

Rafa Benitez’s men returned to the summit last weekend with a slender 1-0 victory over Derby County, ensuring they capitalised on Brighton and Hove Albion dropping points at Brentford.

But Wolves are one of just six second-tiers sides to have beaten the Magpies in the league so far this season, so this will be a tough test for Newcastle psychologically as much as anything else - particularly given the fallout regarding Jonjo Shelvey earlier in the season too.

Ahead of the trip to Molineux, Benitez faces the media at 1pm this afternoon - and here’s six of the topics he’ll need to address...

Dwight Gayle (Image: The Chronicle)

1. Is Dwight Gayle fit enough to be involved - and indeed start - at Molineux?

The 20-goal forward has been sidelined for close to a month now with a recurrence of a hamstring problem he first suffered while at Crystal Palace last season.

During the 26-year-old’s absence Newcastle may have been collecting a decent number of points, but they have often lacked a cutting edge in front of goal.

Aleksandar Mitrovic and Daryl Murphy have failed to really take their opportunities in recent weeks and Gayle is back training with the first team.

But is he ready to start against Wolves? Or, at the very least, is he fit enough to take a place on the United bench?

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2. How important was it psychologically to return to the top of the table?

Newcastle made hard work of beating Derby last weekend - despite dominating the first hour, the Magpies only scored once - yet they still managed to claim a 1-0 victory.

That win, allied with a defeat for Brighton, saw the Magpies return to the top of the table.

So how important psychologically was that for the Newcastle squad? And does Benitez believe there is any added pressure being at the summit?

Jack Colback (Image: Newcastle United)

3. How are Isaac Hayden and Jack Colback? Will they be involved?

Colback has not featured since the FA Cup third-round replay victory over Birmingham City due to illness, while Hayden limped off against Derby last weekend with an ankle injury.

As a result, United are looking thin on options in holding-midfield - unless either, or both, are back fit.

If not, could Mo Diame be deployed in the deeper role he occupied during the second half against Derby? Or could Benitez even opt for a change in formation?

4. Are you desperate to avenge the home defeat to Wolves earlier this season?

Back in September, Newcastle’s five-game revival after a disappointing start to the campaign was ended by Wolves - who left St James’ Park with a 2-0 victory.

The Magpies simply did not get going that day and were punished for their mistakes; while Chancel Mbemba, who struggled to enact Benitez’s specific gameplan, has barely been seen in a black-and-white shirt since.

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Such a loss appeared painful at the time and, given the fact Blackburn Rovers have already done the league double over United, how desperate is Benitez to avenge that home defeat to Wolves?

Jonjo Shelvey (Image: Newcastle United)

5. Shelvey faces an interesting afternoon - do you worry this game could affect him?

The 24-year-old - eventually, albeit three months later - picked up a five-game suspension for using racially-abusive language towards Wolves midfielder Romain Saiss during the 2-0 defeat at St James’ Park.

Though the midfielder vehemently denies the charge, and the club supported him in attempting to protest his innocence, the FA found him guilty and Shelvey ended up serving a ban which proved costly to Newcastle over the festive period.

The Magpies simply cannot risk losing their star midfielder for such an extended period again, but it is likely that Shelvey will be targeted by Wolves players - and the Molineux crowd - who will surely attempt to wind him up.

So has Benitez had a quiet word with the England international to ensure he is mentally in the right place to combat this challenge?

Rafa Benitez during the training session (Image: Newcastle United)

6. Do you believe your away record is the key to securing promotion?

Six of Newcastle’s next nine matches are away from home, starting with this trip to the West Midlands.

In recent seasons that would have been a daunting task for the Magpies, but Benitez ’s side are the runaway leaders in the ‘away table’ - a full five points clear of second-placed Brighton, despite having played a game fewer.